Ruera, Kenya

Ruera estate is a coffee plantation located in Kiambu County, Juja Sub County. It is approximately 15 km from Ruiru town along Kiganjo road. The estate main activities include coffee production in 190.31 ha. This estate has offered employment to over 1,000 Kenyans in the rural set up for the entire coffee production process. Soils are red volcanic, with the landscape sloping gradually amidst low-lying hills.
The farm lies 1577m above sea level. The area has two rainy seasons March to May and October to December. Irrigation of coffee is carried out during the alternate dry seasons.

Picking is done manually by workers and delivered to the wet mill for processing. After carefully sorting, the cherries are pulped using the pinhalence and Mackinnon Pulper plants. Great care is taken to sustain bean quality. Rewetting of dry coffee and over fermentation is avoided at all costs.

Drying is done with the aim of reducing moisture content of the bean for safe storage and better quality. Well dried beans are maintained at 10-11% moisture content. Drying is done on outdoor drying beds that utilize natural heat. The farm offers employment to about 300 workers each day, 30% of who live on the farm’s labor lines. The residence employees are provided with a crèche for preschool children and a primary school is within the farm for other children. A dispensary is provided within the farm. The result is a secure friendly and conducive relationship between the employer, employees and neighborhood.

This coffee stands out for its distinctly tropical character, bursting with sweet notes of cherry and lush tropical fruits. Its natural process brings a rich, layered sweetness that performs beautifully as an espresso. In shorter ratios, it creates stunning milk-and-coffee combinations, delivering both complexity and indulgence in every sip.